Big Ups With Rogue

Name, Location, What You Do:
The name is Rogue. I was born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina and currently have the pleasure to call Brooklyn my home. I create things and DJ a lot. I watch cartoons, throw parties, and bring people together.

Influences:
First and foremost, my parents. They’re also performing artists – Polymaths, so I grew up surrounded by art, music, performers, etc. They would take me to concerts and theatre productions since I was a baby. It was born into a very creative lifestyle. We had a recording studio and rehearsal space built into our house. Everywhere we moved, my folks would always build a studio where they would work but also give me my space to do my thing. They still introduce me to all kinds of art till this day and encourage me to challenge myself and try new things. It’s super inspiring.

As a DJ, I’m influenced by all the dope DJs I have the pleasure to work with. DJ Noumenon and DJ Esquire are major direct influences on me – they’re my mentors. I wouldn’t be the same DJ I am today without them. I’m inspired by so many badass DJs. In no particular order: J-Smoke, Craze, D-styles, Mr. Choc, Shorkut, Spictakular, Boogie Blind, Kayper, Emskee… the list goes on. They’re all so dope in their own unique style.

Musically, I’m inspired by anything that has soul. Whatever genre. If it moves my spirit in any way, I’ll rock with it. Same applies with everything else in life.

Best Digging Story:
I don’t have a lot of crazy digging stories, to be honest. One of my personal favorites was digging with my homie Mylon. He had found Roy Ayers Lifeline and I was so geeked about it that he let me take it home. Everybody go give Mylon a high 5 and let him know he’s the best.

I also used to work at this thrift shop where the owner had all these 45s hanging from the ceiling, collecting dust. They were so good yet so neglected. I ended up taking them all home to give them the love they deserved.

Favorite Mix and Why. Any Genre, Any DJ.Craze & Four Color Zach – 2¢
With so many heads faking the funk, this mix was so necessary and so damn ILL. They delivered it like a swift punch to the throat. It gets me so hyped and also reminds me I need to go practice.

LP, 12”, or 7” format?
LP. I want the full album.

Junk Food You Can’t Live Without:
I’m still pretty old school so Pop Rocks and Blow Pops are my jam… and… I mean…. can I live without Pringles and Skittles? sure. But do I want to? No. Not really.

Most Memorable Gig Played:
All my gigs are very memorable to me for different reasons. Off the top, there’s a few good stories that come to mind. I’ll give you two quick ones.

There’s the Fuck Cancer Brooklyn Took It edition on April ’17, where all my friends came together to party and raise funds to help me through my battle with Cancer. The line up was so ill. There was so much love and positivity – the venue was packed with all my loved ones and theirs. It was an unforgettable night. I beat up a barbie piñata full of candy AND got to rock with a ton of my favorite DJ friends (shouts to Twelve45, DJ Esquire, Dash Speaks, Noumenon & Mike Strick) I made so many new friends that night. Everybody played their hearts out. It was all love. I still get choked up thinking about it.

As a completely different experience, there was also a gig I played that I will never ever EVER forget, where I rocked a party with a NY Rat in my booth. You know NY rats aren’t afraid of anything. No lie, I’m Spinning and I literally have a rat running into my drink, in and out of my DJ bag, over my feet, under the set up. It was wild and pretty terrifying. I literally had to face one of my fears while playing feel good dance music for a crowd that had no idea what was going on. Still, I rocked the entire night because I didn’t want to back down to Charlie The Rat. We spent 6 hours together, so it was only right he got a name. Either way, the show must go on, feel me?

Record That Never Leaves Your Record Box:
I always find a way to drop Wu-Tang in my sets. You can’t say shit to me about it.

Shout Outs, Last Remarks, and Gig Info:
Respect to my elders, peers, competition, and all those who paved the way for the rest of us – to those who inspire us, teach us, and challenge us to do right by this art form. Shouts to those who put in the work. Shout out to my friends, my family, and everyone who finds a way to support and show love.

Shout out to Scienze. We have some shows coming up that we’re excited to share with everyone very soon.

Shout out to Brooklyn Took It. Noms and I curated this thing from the ground up and we couldn’t be more proud. The vibe is beautiful. You can come dance with us and our special guests every first Friday at Friends and Lovers in Crown Heights. 10pm-4am. You can stay updated with everything BKTI at http://www.brooklyntookit.com

Second Fridays you can catch me throwing down for my other monthly function, Whut Thee Friday. It pops off at one of my favorite spots, Franklin Park in Crown Heights. 10:30pm-3:30 am.

Saturdays I take the party to LES at Lucky Jacks to play everything that feels good from 10pm-4am.